Free airplane rides for kids

The Troy Airpark chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association (www.eaa.org) is offering Lincoln and Pike county youngsters, ages 8-17, a free airplane orientation ride as part of EAA’s Young Eagle program (www.youngeagles.org).

This program was started in 1992 and has given over 1.7 million youngsters the opportunity to see the world and perhaps their future from a perspective many have not experienced before. The orientation begins with a short discussion and explanation of how airplanes fly that is geared to the age of the youngster followed by an actual flight around the local area in one of a variety of general aviation aircraft. Parents are encouraged to observe and participate in the ground activities.

The adventure doesn’t end with the orientation flight as each youngster receives a free membership in EAA and free access to an online private pilot ground school. Successful completion of the ground school allows the student to take the Federal Aviation Administration’s written exam necessary to qualify for a private pilot license that has a minimum age requirement of only 16. Not everyone wants to be a pilot, but there are many other potential career fields that involve aviation including engineering, air traffic control, maintenance, electronics, plus the rapidly expanding field of remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs).

Orientation flights will be conducted May 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of the each month continuing until Oct. 5 weather permitting at Bowling Green Airport (Airport Rd and old US 61). A parent or guardian must be present to sign the required permission slip.

For further information, please contact Pat Donovan at 636-462-8370 or via email at pa24pilot@centurylink.net.